Nuclear Policymaking

This course investigates how U.S. nuclear strategy, force structure, and arms control policies are formulated within the defense establishment and across the federal government. Students examine the roles of key actors—from the president and military leaders to interagency organizations and external stakeholders—and analyze how competing priorities and bureaucratic dynamics influence policy outcomes.

The course combines seminar discussions with insights from former policymakers and practitioners who have shaped nuclear decisions at senior levels. By the end, students gain a detailed understanding of the processes and interactions that define U.S. nuclear policymaking in theory and practice.